SCHELDECROSS:One day a year, the banks of the river Schelde in Antwerp are brought to life by beer-drinking 'cross fans. And that day is tomorrow! Part of the Soudal Classics, a small series, with tough races. (Jamaarktcross Niel, for example)THE PARCOURS:The parcours are quite fun, of course they are! It's beside a river, which means two things:1: SAND!2: MUD!And this course doesn't disappoint. [1]Lots of rises in the course, as well, a decent run up and some steep steps. Rainy too apparently. Here, Erwin Vervecken previews it. THE RIDERS:Unfortunately, this, unlike last year's field is sparse. No Nys, Van der Haar, Van Aert or Pauwels. Only three of the "Big Seven" are riding - Van der Poel, Vantornout and last week's winner, Meeusen. FAVOURITES :Stars: :Stars: :Stars: :Stars: Tom Meeusen:Won last week, on a hard, muddy course, so in good form. Stronger sprint than Vantornout, and lasted longer than Van der Poel last week. Doesn't get 5 stars, because, you know, it's cross. :Stars: :Stars: :Stars: :Stars: Klaas Vantornout:Klass is a strong runner, on decent form after Overijse last week, and can possibly outbludgeon Meeusen. :Stars: :Stars: :Stars: Mathieu Van der Poel:Was 2nd last year to a very strong Niels Albert, and has placed highly in all his recent crosses. Not convinced he can beat Meeusen or Vantornout on their current form, but a good bet.Last year:1: Niels Albert2: Mathieu van der Poel3:Philipp WalslebenZILVERMEER

What's that coming over the hill? Oh, it's a rider. In the dark. In Mol, which in the course's short history has hosted the '13 Belgian nationals, (KVT's year) Boonen's charity race and this standalone event, which takes place at night. (17:30 CET.)THE PARCOURSAgain, around a lake. Same rules apply, but this time there's a forest! Again, a fun course, with hills. And again, it's DARK!THE RIDERS: Same as Scheldecross, but one exception: Iiiiiiiiiit's WOUT! Van Aert will have to be the favourite here, having not raced the day before, and has shown more form the anyone in the race, with no Yoah.FAVOURITES :Stars: :Stars: :Stars: :Stars: Wout Van Aert:The young Belgian has been brilliant this year, with wins in Oudenaarde, Koksijde and Hamme-Zogge. Held on to Pauwels' wheel for the most part in Hasselt, and may have the measure of the riders here. :Stars: :Stars: :Stars: Tom MeeusenGood in previous races, good sprint. :Stars: :Stars: :Stars: Klaas Vantornout:Has good memories of this course, as he won the Belgian nationals in 2013. :Stars: :Stars: Mathieu Van der Poel:I always think Van Aert has the measure of him - look at Hamme-Zogge!Looks like we have quite a weekend in store!

On the banks of the River Schelde today, Mathieu Van der Poel washed everyone else out to sea. Sure, Nys or Pauwels weren't there, but there was no doubting the Dutchman's dominance.

On the first lap, he opened hostilities, dragging Meeusen with him, through the sand, but the Belgian could barely hold his wheel for a lap, and quickly fell back past his young compatriot Laurens Sweeck, who attacked directly after, and got a small gap of 5 seconds. This gap was short lived, however, and he too fell back, into a no-mans-land behind Van der Poel, but he was never to be caught by any pursuers,

Meanwhile, back with said pursuers, (Peeters, Van Kessel and Walsleben, the German champ) there was very little co-operation. Van Kessel and Peeters were unwilling to work together, but Meeusen was struggling with even them, and dropped back briefly,

Up front, Van der Poel was imperious, doing the best impression possible of a time-trial on mud and sand. With three laps to go, he led Sweeck by 25 seconds, and the third group, (who by now Meeusen had caught up) by over a minute. He would only extend his advantage. By the end, the young Dutchman had a huge gap of 41 seconds to second, Sweeck, who lost 15 seconds on the last lap, due to a puncture. Third was Meeusen, who recovered in time for a respectable podium, but still finished over a minute down on the winner.

In conclusion, not the greatest race of the season, but an excellent display of dominance by the 19-year old Van der Poel.